Electroplating machine



' P 0, 1940. VAN WINKLETODD 2,214,262

ELECTROPLATING MACHINE Filed Junb 9, 1937 6 Sheets-Shet I INVENTOR VAN W/NKLE T000 A TTORNEYS p 1940- VAN WINKLE TODD 7 2,214,262 ELECTROPLA'I'ING- MACHINE Filed June 9, 1937 6 Sheets-Shea} 2 IN VEN TOR VAN -WlN/(LE T000 A TTORNEYS Sept. 10. 1940- VAN WINKLE TODD Emcmofm'rme uAcnmE Filod Jun 9. 1937. 's'iims-sheet 4 //v VEA/ 70/? VA'N WIN/(LE T000 A T TOR/V1575 Sept. 10, 1940.

VAN WINKLE TODD fimc'mornnme momma S R Y 0 E 5 m m T. 4: w N Q w wa w 5% W L1 6 A A Q 1@ 5 2 6 1 z wa l Patented Sept. 10.1940

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE Van Winkle Todd, Matawan, N. J., assignor to Hanson-Van Winkle-Munning Company, Matawan, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 9, 1937, Serial No. 147,315 15 Claims. (01. 214-11) My inventionrelates to electroprocessing machines and in particular to a full automatic machine and a method of operation thereof.

It is the object of my invention to provide a machine characterized by the fact that it employs a plurality of side arms for supporting work racks over a plurality of successive tanks, with the resuit that there is the minimum of height of the machine. In such a machine it is my object to [Q actuate said arms longitudinally of the machine by a chain and to employ said chain also for the purpose of elevating and lowering said armsin order to bring about a quick transfer of the work pieces from one tank to another.

a It is my object to provide such a machine in which there are a plurality of raising and lowering mechanisms arranged to elevate one arm while lowering another adjacent arm so that the weight of said arms will be counterbalanced; and toemploy the moving chain for moving the arms for the purpose of synchronously actuating the raising and lowering mechanism.

It is my object to provide such a machine so that the arms of the work pieces may or may not be electrified; and if electrified, they may be electrified in their lowered positions only or in their upper elevated positions only, or in both positions.

It is an object to provide in such a machine a means of maintaining the arms in elevated position as they are transported from a position over one tank to a position over the next adjacent tank whenthe arms are in elevated position so that the work pieces and carriers will clear the ad- 3 jacent ends of adjacent tanks.

It is a further object to provide a machine of this character in which the. entire operating mechanism is carried upon a set of central standards arranged to one side of and preferably above the level of the tanks so as to be in a position where the grease and oils on the mechanism for lifting, lowering and moving the arms cannot contaminate the conte'ntsof the tank; so that the mechanism will be on the side opposite to that 4,5 on which the operatorstands; and so thatthe operating mechanism is fully observable and accessible while at the same time havin the minimum over-all height. It will be understood, however, that I preferably prefer to arrange the 50 standards and operating mechanism to one sid of but between a continuous series of encircling tanks.

It is a further object to have a mechanism in which the minimum width of tank is necessary. 55 The particular feature of my invention is the method of transporting, raising, lowering and maintaining in elevated position the several arms. A single driving chain is employed which transports the arm bodily laterally and which also actuates the elevating and lowering mechanism. It is my object to so locate this mechanism that it is within the boundary of the general framework supporting the actuating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine of my invention.

Figure ,2 is a side elevation with the tanks partially in section and partially broken away show ing one end of the machine in detail.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing one arm of the mechanism in an upper position and the other in a lower position.

' Figure 4 is a detailed view on the same section as Figure 3 showing the arrangement of the arms and the elevating mechanism and lowering mechanism in detail.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure,

2 looking downwardly showing the elevation blocks at the base of the arms in section. In this view the right-hand elevating mechanism is about to start the elevation of an arm and the left-hand mechanism is about to undertake the lowering of an arm.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the completion of the elevating of the right-hand arm and the lowering of the left-hand arm. v

Figure -'7 is a section through one of the elevating and lowering pins and its universal mounting. It is a section on the line of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 4 showing in elevation the back of the socket on the back of one of the arms, into which socket the nose of the elevating and lowering pin engages.

Figure 9 is a detailed elevation showing the method of adjusting the idler sprocket support at one end of the machine, which sprocket supports the main chain.

Figure 10 is a section on the line l0l0 of Fig- Figure 11 is a section on the line lI-ll of Figure 4 showing the means of attachment of the main chain to the travelling bracket on which the arms are pivoted. '7

Figure 12 is a section on-the line l2-l2 or Figure 9; f

Referring to the-drawings in detail, I, 2 and 3 designate a series of tanks having various pieces that are elsewhere supported in the soldtion and to effect this raising and lowering operation with the maximum speed in order to reduce oxidation of the work pieces. To that end (Figures 3 and 4) the racks are suspended upon a plurality of spaced arms ii through supports 1 that are pivoted at 8 upon the ends of the arms 6. In order to preserve the racks in their vertical position during this lifting operation, the

upper end 9 of the support 1 is pivoted at IU to a guide arm II. The lifting arm 6 and guide arm II are respectively pivoted at l2 and I3 to a transporting bracket II which carries a diagonally disposed trolley wheel it that rides upon a rod l6 which constitutes a track. This rod.

wheel and bracket take the load which is imposed upon the arms. The rod-shaped track It is supported upon spaced supporting plates i1 that are in turn mounted upon the angle iron bracket i8 constituting a part of the framework of the central support for the arms and the operating mechanism therefor. These angle iron members It are bolted by bolts 13 to the caps and the supporting members 2| which are in turn supported on the cross members 22 that are carried upon the standards 23 that rest upon the floor 23. These standards and all of the -mechanism supported thereby, with the exception of the ends of the-arms 0 and II, are located to one side of the tanks. I, 2 and 3 and preferably within the space 2! between the tanks. The cap members 20 and base members '26 carry between them the rods or shafts 21,

which in turn support the reciprocating elevating and lowering mechanism for the arms 8 as hereinafter described. These cap members are bolted by the bolts l8 and I to the angle mem-- bers l8 and l8a to form a rigid framework centrally of the standards 23.

Returning to the brackets I (Figure '4). the lower end of the bracket is provided with-a pair of horizontally-disposed surfaces 28 to which are bolted by the bolts 28 the fingers 30 which are formed on the links 3| forming a part of the articulated chain 32. In this manner the ends of the brackets I are connected to the main actuating chain 32. As the arms 3 and 'II are pivoted on the bracket l4, this means thatthe chain 32 also transports these arms and whatever they carry.

This chain 32 is provided with a plurality of spaced rollers 33 on. vertically-disposed axles 3i.

These rollers travel between guide flanges 35 and 36 carried on the underside of the plates l3. arrangement serves to position and align the lower end of the arm supporting bracket l4.

The side arms 8 are provided with contact shoes 36a which engage-the contact rails. 31 on the insulated support" carried on the angular side rails 38 forming a pa of the central framework and supported upon the upper-ends of the standards 23.

These rails 39 also support the spaced brackets '40 having the inclined tracks ll. arranged ad-' Jacent the abutting ends of.the tanks so as to support the lower mass: the arm 3 by engaging with the rollers 42 pivotally mounted on the axle 43 on the lower ends of the arms 6.

of its adiusting screw 82 in engagement with the vlowered on the other end ofthe rocker arm. By

Raising and lowering The rear lower ends and the rear face adjacent thereto of each side arm are provided with a semi-circular depression or socket 43a and a 5 slotted entranceway 4| cut away from the rear I face of the lower rear end of the arm 6. This socket 43 is intermittently engaged for elevating and lowering purposes by the rounded nose ll of the elevating and lowering pin 46. The nose is threaded at 41 (Figure 7) into the outer end of the sleeve member constituting this pin. .The inner end of this sleeve is mounted upon the extension 48 and against the shoulder 49 of a I support comprising an annular tapered surface to engaging with the cooperating surface II in a retaining plate 52 which is mounted on the forward face of the supporting block 53. The rear face of the member ill is rounded as at ll. It is provided with a chamber 53 into which projects an aligning pin 56 having its sharp end engaging with a socket I1 and its rear rounded end 53 engaging with a thrust member 83 which is forced outwardly by the spring]... This thrust.

member and spring are contained with a cylindria cal cutaway portion 6| within the block 53. The purpose of this mechanism is toprovide an articulated pin which can rock in the block 63 as the block with its pin is moved into and out of engagement with the lifting arm 3 for raising a and lowering that am.- 1 I It will be understood that this arm when in its lowermost position (Figure 4) has the head face 63 of the shoulder 64' which is a part of the bracket is. The adjustment of the screw 32 regulates the horizontal position of the arm 3.

Returning again to the-supporting block 53, it will be noted that this is mounted upon one end of a rocker arm (Figures l5 and 8). Similar pins and blocks are mounted 'on opposite ends of this rocker-arm. The rocker arm in turn is mounted upon one of the vertical shafts. 21. Each of these shafts is mounted within roller bearings 33 at the top and bottom within the bearing sleeves 20 and 23 (Figure 4). The bottom of the shaft 21 is mounted uponball thrust bearingsfl. It has already been explained that these sleeves 20 and 28 are bolted by the bolts l9 and lid to the angle iron members, I3 and Ila. respectively. I

The rocker arm (Figures 5 and 8) is provided with a rocker actuator consisting of the finger 6' which is provided with ajaw II at one end for engaging with an internally extending lug ll mounted on the chain 32.' when this lug II ongages on the jaw 3| (Figure 6), it causes the rocker arm to rock from a retracted position to an extended position on the right-hand side for elevating one of the arms and lowering the next adjacent left-hand arm. In' this manner the weight of the arm which is being lifted iscounterbalanced y the weight of the arm which is being leaves the jaw 38 engages with the return nnger 3 II which is pivoted on the vertical shaft". This causes the inner end 130! this return finger to actuate the pitman 14 which is pivoted to it and to the rocker actuator 68, thus returning the rocker arm from the position shown in Figure 6 tothe position shown in Figure 5. Due to the wear upon the jaw 69 and the end of the finger I I, this jaw and this end are bolted by the bolts 69a. and Ha on the ends thereof so that they are replaceable and renewable.

This assembly therefore'consists of a rocker arm, pivoted raising and lowering pins ateither end thereof having a limited rockingmovement, and lug means actuated by the chain for rocking the rocker arms first in one direction and then in the other. It will be noted that both the horizontal movement of the arm 6 and the vertical raising and lowering movement of the arm 6 are brought about by actuating the common chain 32.

The drive This chain 32 is-mounted upon an idler sprocket 15 at one end and a driving sprocket 16 at the other end.

The idler sprocket is carried in a bearing block 11 that is slidably mounted on the supporting framework. It is adjustably positioned with the set screw 18. The details of this form no part of the invention.

The driving end consisting of a driving sprocket 16 also includes the driving shaft 19 which is driven through the gear box 80, the shaft 8|, bevel gear 02,- pinion 83, vertical shaft 84, the gearbox 85 and the armature shaft 86 of the motor 81. The upper frame member 88 supports the motor 81 and gear box 85 and the lower framework 89 supports the lower gear box 80.

Method of operation It will thereforebe apparent that as the chain -32 is driven within its supporting track, it carries a plurality of spaced arms around in a continuous circuit over and over the tanks. It also actuates the rocker arms and lifting and lowering pins to successively elevate each arm before it comes in the neighborhood of the end of the tank so as to place that arm and its roller on the track 4|. The chain thereafter continues to move the arm with its roller 42 on the track 4|. When the roller 42 comes near the end of the track 4|, the next adjacent pin 46 inserts the nose into the socket 4311. at the back of the lower end of g the arm 6 and thereby lowers the arm without rangement provides for the minimum of height of the machine so that it can be placed in bays in buildings having low ceilings. The work is readily accessible from the outside of the tanks.

The contents of the tanks cannot be contaminated by any drippings of grease or oil from the operating mechanism.

It will be understood that I desire to compre hend within my invention such modifications as may be clearly embraced within the claims and scope of my invention.

. 3 Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: v

1. man elevating conveyor, means to transport work arms over a plurality of tanks; an arm elevating and lowering means actuated by said transport means for raising and lowering said arms at intervals, saidarm elevating means engaging said arms in substantially horizontal thrust-counteracting relationship for applying the thrust of an arm being lowered in opposition to the thrust of an arm being raised so that the forces substantially counterbalance each other.

2. In an elevating conveyor, means to transport work arms over a plurality of tanks, an arm elevating and lowering means actuated by said transport means for raising and lowering said arms at intervals, said arm elevating means engaging said arms in substantially horizontal thrust co'unteracting relationship for applying the thrust of an arm being lowered in opposition to the thrust of an arm being raised so that the.

forces substantially counterbalance each other, and means for maintaining an arm when raised in its raised position while being moved horizontally therealong during the actuation of the raising and lowering means.

3. In an elevating conveyor, a horizontally moving chain, means for supporting said chain and for supporting a plurality of work conveying arms moving with said chain, said plurality of arms being pivotally connected to said chain and adapted to move vertically while the chain continues its movement, and arm elevating and,low ering means actuated by the chain for intermittently raising and lowering said arms, said arm elevating means engaging said arms in a substantially horizontal thrust-counteracting relationship for applying the thrust of an arm being lowered in opposition to the thrust ,of an arm being raised so that the forces substantially counterbalance each other.

4. In an elevating conveyor, a horizontally moving chain, means for supporting said chain and for supporting a plurality of arms moving with said chain horizontally, a plurality of arms pivoted on said chain adapted to move vertically while the chain continues its movement, armelevating and lowering means actuated by thechain for intermittently raising and lowering said arms, said arm-elevating means engagingsaid arms in thrust-counteracting relationship for applying the thrust of an arm being lowered in opposition to the thrust of an arm being raised, and

roller and track means for maintaining said arms in their elevated positions between the raising and lowering movement thereof.

5. In an elevating conveyor, the combination of a driven chain, a track associated therewith, a plurality of arm supports supported on said track and connected to said chain for movement 7 therewith, pivoted arm means on each of said supports, a plurality of spaced raising and lowering means for said arms actuated by said chain comprising pivoted rocker arms, articulately mounted lifting and lowering pins disposed on either end thereof, means on said chain for engaging with said rocker arm to rock it to move arms to elevate it, and means associated with said rocker arm' engageable by said chain for rocking the arm to cause the other pin to simultaneously engage said arm to lower it.

6. In an elevating conveyor, the combination of a. driven chain, a track associated therewith,

first one pin into engagement with one of said means on said chain for engaging with said rocker a plurality of arm supports therealong, a track ,aplmaiityofarmsupportssupported on therewith. ivoted arm means on each of said a plurality of spaced raising and lowering means for said arms actuated by said chain comprising pivoted rocker arms, articulately mounted liftingand lowering pins disposed on either end thereof, means on said chain for eneasing with said rocker arm to rock it to move first onepin into engagementwith one of said arms to-elevate it, and means associated with said rocker arm engageable by said chain for rocking the arm to cause the other pin to engage said arm to lower'it, said pins and arms being so arranged that while one pin is engaging an arm to elevate it, the other pin is engaging another arm to lower it, said arms being associated in pairs.

7. In an elevating conveyor, the combination of a driven chain, a track associated therewith, a plurality of arm supports supported on said track and connected to said chain for movement therewith, pivoted arm means on each of said supports,

a plurality of spaced raising and lowering means for said arms actuated by said chaincomprislng pivoted rocker arms, articulately mounted lifting and lowering pins disposed-on either end thereof,

arm to rock'it to moveflrst one pin into engage ment with one of said arms to elevate it, means associated with said rocker arm engageable by said chain for rocking the arm .to cause the other pin to engagesaid arm to .lower it, said pins and arms being so arranged that while one pin is engaging an arm to elevate it, the other pin is engaging another arm to lower vit, and means, comprisingatrack adapted to engage with a portion of said arm in its elevated position between its pin-engaging positions for maintaining the. arm in its elevated position.

8. In an elevating conveyor, means for moving aplurality of arm supports therealong, a track for said arm supports, arms pivotally mounted on said arm supports, a plurality ofspaced lifting and lowering means pivotally attached to a rocker member and adapted to engage with said arms to move them on their pivotal supports, said lifting and lowering means comprising -a pair of pins pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said rocker member, means associated with said rocker member and said arm support moving means for rocking said rocker member, and a ball and socket means formed on the end of each of said pivotally mounted and lowering means and the back of each of said lifting arms to permit of universal engagement and relative movement therebetween. g

9. In an elevating conveyor, means for movingfor said arm supports, arms pivotally mounted on said arm supports, a plurality of spaced lifting and lowering means pivotally attached to a. rocker member and adapted to engage with said arms to move them on their pivotal supports, said lifting and lowering means comprising a pair of pins pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said rocker member, means associated with said rocker member and said moving means for rocking said rocker member, a ball and socket means formed" on the end ofeach of said pivotally mounted and lowering means and the back of each of said lifting arms to permit of universal engagement and relative movement therebetween, supplementary stationary track means adapted to engage with said pivotally mounted arms in their elevated amass:

position, and rollersoii each of said arms for en- 8 -8111; with said track means.

' 10. In an elevating. conveyor, an actuating chain, inwardly directed lugs thereon at intervals, a rocking arm having a jaw engageable by said lugs, actuating .mechanism connected to said rocker arm and engageable by said lugs for. further rocking said arm, and a pair of lifting and lowering means universally mounted on opposite ends of said rocker arm. I

ut in. an elevating conveyor, an actuatingv chain, inwardly directed lugs thereon at intervals, a rocking arm having a jaw' engageable by said lugs, actuating mechanism connected to said rocker arm and engageable by said lugs for further rocking said arm, a pair of lifting and lowering arms carried by said rocker arm member having sockets on the back .thereof, and,correspending, engaging spherical portions for positioning in said sockets on the ends of said lifting and lowering arms.

12. In an elevating conveyor, a frame, a track on said frame, a plurality of arm carriers supported at their tops onsaid track, a chain guided in said frame adjacent the'lower ends of said carriers, a chain therein having rollers engaging with said guide, means of connecting the arranged at intervals on said frame for supporting said arms by said rollers in their elevated position. f

13. In an elevating conveyor, a frame, a track on said frame, a plurality of arm carriers supported at their tops on said track, a chain guided in said frame adjacent the lower ends of said carriers, a chain therein having rollers engaging with said guide, means-of connecting the lower ends of said carriers to said chain to be guided thereby and moved therewith, arm means pivotally mounted on said carriers, a roller on said arm means and a socket in the back of said arm means, a plurality of spaced vertical shafts in said frame within the orbit of said chain, rocking means on each of said shafts for supporting spaced raising and lowering pins adapted to engage in the sockets in said arms, track means arranged at intervals on said frame for supporting said arms .by said rollers in their elevated position, said arm means comprising a pair of spaced pivotally mounted arms on each support, and

means for interconnecting the outer ends of said arms for supporting and maintaining a work carrier constantly in a vertical position irrespective of the position of the arms.

' 14. In an elevating conveyor, a frame, a track on said frame, a plura ty of arm carriers suported at their tops on said track, a chain guided.- in said frame adjacent. the lower ends of said carriers, a chain therein having rollers engaging otaily mounted on said carriers, aroller on saidarm means and a socket in the back of said arm means, a plurality of spaced vertical shafts insaid frame within the orbit of said chain, rocking means on each of said shafts for supporting spaced raising and lowering pins adapted to en- 'gage' in the sockets in said arms, track means arranged at intervals on said frame for supporting said arms by said rollers in their elevated position, said arm means comprising a pair of spaced pivotally mounted arms on each support, means for interconnecting-the outer ends of said arms for supporting and maintaining a work carrier constantly in a vertical position irrespective of the position of the arms, and yielding means associated with the mounting of each of said elevating andlowering pins for yieldingly returning it to its normal position after each raisin and lowering operation.

15. In an elevating conveyor, a horizontally moving chain, a plurality of arms pivotally associated therewith in spaced relationship, and

arm-elevating and lowering means comprising a rocking member actuated by said chain at in:- tervals adapted to move transversely of said chain for engaging said arms to raise and lower the arms while the arms are moving transversely with the chain, said arm-elevating means being arranged substantially in thrust-balancing relationship for applying the thrust of an arm being lowered in opposition to the thrust of an arm being raised.

. VAN. 'IfODD. 

